Dear Reader:

This glossary is meant to provide some context for Zane’s story. It in no way represents the many Maya mythologies, cultures, languages, pronunciations, and geographies. That would take an entire library. Instead, this offers a snapshot of how I understand the myths and terms, and what I learned during my research for this book. Simply put, myths are stories handed down from one generation to the next. While growing up near the Tijuana border, I was fascinated by the Maya (as well as the Aztec) mythologies, and I was absolutely sure that my ancestors were related to the gods. Each time I’ve visited the Maya pyramids in Yucatán, I’ve listened for whispers in the breeze (and I just might’ve heard them). My grandmother used to speak of spirits, brujos, gods, and the magic of ancient civilizations, further igniting my curiosity for and love of myth and magic. I hope this is the beginning (or continuation) of your own curiosity and journey.

Ah-Puch (ah-POOCH) god of death, darkness, and destruction. Sometimes he’s called the Stinking One or Flatulent One (Oy!). He is often depicted as a skeleton wearing a collar of dangling eyeballs of those he’s killed. No wonder he doesn’t have any friends.

Akan (ah-KAHN) god of wine

Ak ’Ek (AHK EHKH) the Mayan name for the constellation Orion, meaning the Turtle Star

Aztec (AZ-tek) the term often used now for Mexica, one of the peoples indigenous to Mexico before the Spanish conquest of the sixteenth century. The word means coming from Aztlán, their legendary place of origin. The Mexica did not refer to themselves as Aztecs.

Bakab (bah-KAHB) four divine brothers who hold up the four corners of world, and all without complaining about having tired arms

Camazotz (KAH-mah-sots) a Maya bat god who, before he was exiled, lived in the House of Bats in Xib’alb’a, where his job was to bite off travelers’ heads

Ceiba Tree (SAY-bah) the World Tree or Tree of Life. Its roots begin in the underworld, grow up through the earth, and continue into paradise.

Chaac (CHAHK) the Maya rain god

Chak Ek’ (CHAHK EHKH) Mayan name for the planet Venus

chapat (chah-PAHT) Mayan for centipede

Hurakan (hoor-ah-KAHN) god of wind, storm, and fire. Also known as Heart of the Sky and One Leg. Hurakan is one of the gods who helped create humans four different times. Some believe he is responsible for giving humans the gift of fire.

Itzamna (IT-sahm-na) a Maya creator god associated with writing

Ixkakaw (eesh-ka-KOW) goddess of the cacao tree and chocolate

Ixkik’ (sh-KEEK) mother of the hero twins, Jun’ajpu’ and Xb’alamkej; also known as the Blood Moon goddess and Blood Maiden. She is the daughter of one of the lords of the underworld.

Ixtab (eesh-TAHB) goddess (and often caretaker) of people who were sacrificed or died a violent death

Ix-tub-tun (eesh-toob-TOON) a stone-spitting goddess

Jun’ajpu’ (HOON-ah-POO) one of the hero twins; his brother is Xb’alamkej. These brothers were the second generation of hero twins. They were raised by their mother (Ixkik’) and grandmother. They were really good ballplayers, and one day they played so loudly, the lords of the underworld got annoyed and asked them to come down to Xib’alb’a for a visit (no thanks!). They accepted the invitation and had to face a series of tests and trials. Luckily for them, they were clever and passed each test, eventually avenging their father and uncle, whom the lords of the underworld had killed.

Kab’raqan (kahb-rah-KAHN) Mayan for earthquake; a giant and brother to Sipacna

k’iin (KEEN) Mayan for sun or day

K’ukumatz (koo-koo-MATS) (also known as Kukuulkaan) one of the creator gods. He is said to have come from the sea to teach humans his knowledge. Then he went back to the ocean, promising to return one day. As Kukuulkaan, he is known as the Feathered Serpent. According to legend, he slithers down the steps of the great pyramid El Castillo at Chichén Itzá in Yucatán, México, on the spring and autumn equinoxes; festivals are held in his honor there to this day. El Castillo is definitely a cool—but also hair-raising and bone-chilling—place to visit.

Kukuulkaan (koo-kool-KAHN) see K’UKUMATZ

Mexica (meh-SHEE-ka) a Nahuatl-speaking group of people indigenous to Mexico before the Spanish conquest of the sixteenth century. Now commonly referred to as Aztecs.

Nakon (nah-CONE) god of war

nawal (nah-WAHL) a human with the ability to change into an animal, sometimes called a shape-shifter

saás (sah-AHS) Mayan for light

Saqik’oxol (sock-ee-kh-oh-SHOLE) the White Sparkstriker, a being who lives in the woods, wears a red mask, and dresses entirely in red. The Sparkstriker pounded lightning into the first daykeepers (diviners).

Sipacna (see-pahk-NAH) an arrogant giant who was killed by the second-generation hero twins when they dropped a mountain on him; according to Maya legend, he killed four hundred boys at once

Tlaltecuhtli (tlah-tek-OOT-lee) the Mexica earth goddess, whose name means the one who gives and devours life

Xb’alamkej (sh-bah-lam-KEH) one of the hero twins; see JUN’AJPU’

Xib’alb’a (shee-bahl-BAH) the Maya underworld, a land of darkness and fear where the soul has to travel before reaching paradise. If the soul fails, it must stay in the underworld and hang out with demons. Yikes!